A school previously given the lowest Ofsted rating is now “on the right path” and has made “significant” improvements thanks to new leadership.

Lynsted and Norton Primary, in Lynsted Lane near Teynham, has been rated ‘Requires Improvement’ two years after it was labelled as ‘Inadequate’ during its last inspection.

Head teacher Catherine McLaughlin took on her role in September 2021, two months after the school was ranked lowly by the education watchdog.

She explained in a letter to parents that the school is on the right path with clear actions on how to make further improvements.

Mrs McLaughlin said: “We are really pleased that the inspectors recognised the progress that the school has made and have now taken us out of serious weaknesses.

“The inspectors could see that we all have a shared commitment to improving the quality of education at the school and the progress that we have made in developing the curriculum.”

Mrs McLaughlin also thanked the staff, governors and the trust team for “working hard to enable the school to now be on such a positive journey”.

Following the inspection, which was carried out in March this year, Ofsted rated the early years offering as ‘Good’.

The report read: “Teachers and support staff have a clear and shared understanding of what children need to know and be able to do to be ready for Year 1”.

Ofsted also highlighted the “nurturing environment” across the school, but the report suggests that further improvements could be made:

An inspector said: “While pupils now follow a broad and balanced curriculum, there is more to do to ensure that all pupils achieve well across all subjects.”

Back in 2021 lead Ofsted inspector Lucy English said in her report that pupils were happy to be attending the school, but they were “not learning what they should”.

She added: “The curriculum is jumbled and confusing. It does not set out what knowledge pupils need to learn and when.

“It does not support staff to plan lessons that develop pupils’ knowledge.”

The inspector said leaders needed to “urgently establish a logical, coherent and sequentially planned curriculum” that staff understood and could work with, among other things.

However, she did note that leaders had launched “well-considered actions” that were already making a difference.

The school became part of Our Community Multi-Academy Trust in May 2021 and made changes to leadership and staff.

“The inspection shows that we are on the right path and have got clear actions of how to make further improvements...”

During its 2023 report, Ofsted commended the new approach saying: “School and trust leaders, as well as those responsible for governance, share a clear and ambitious vision.

“They aspire to provide pupils with an excellent education in their village school.

“They want the school to be at the heart of the local community. Those responsible for governance provide leaders with strong support and challenge so that the school continues to make progress towards this shared vision.”

The current team has acknowledged areas that require further work.

Mrs McLaughlin added: “The inspection shows that we are on the right path and have got clear actions of how to make further improvements.”